IRISH DEADLOCK.
THE PARTIES CONFER.
BOTH SIDES FIRM. NO AGREEMENT YET}. By T«*e*apA—Press Attn—Cepyrlgkt. Received Feb. 7, 7.35 p.m. London, Feb. 6. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland) wrote to Mr. Lloyd George to-night: “I have just held a meeting of those Ulster members of the Cabinet now in London to consider the boundaries question. Since the correspondence began on the subject of the Irish settlement we have relied oa the following sentence in your letter of July 20 to Mr. de Valera: ‘The settlement must allow for full recognition of the existing powers and pr'rileges of the Parliament and Government of Northern Ireland, which cannot be abrogated except by their own consent.”’ The letter added: “Although the necessity for giving a final decision on behalf of the Government of Northern Ireland dies not arise until our Parliament votes itself out of the Free State, as a result of our deliberations to-day I have to inform you that we adhere throughout to this principle hud down by yourself, and cannot consent to any alterations in the boundary except by mutual agreement, failing which, in respect to any territory in dispute, the boundary to stand as defined by the Government of Ireland Act ot 1920. I am sure you will agree with me on the importance of preventing any further misunderstanding, and accordingly I am sending a copy hereof to the Press.” Later, at Mr. Lloyd George’s request, Sir James Craig saw the ft-ime Minister, confirmed the terms of the letter, and declared there could be no going I back thereon. The issue in the Press of Sir James Craigs letter followed an important conference between Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Arthur Griffith and Mr. M. Collins prior to a Privy Council, at which the King’s Speech for the re-opening of Parliament to-morrow was approved. The official report merely stated a conference was held in order to agree upon the procedure for giving effect to the treaty. Mr. Griffith will remain in London. Mr. Collins, prior to his departure for home to-night, said he could only reiterate that the Free State insisted that majorities must rule; the treaty stood for that principle. The Free State would not coerce any part of Ulster desiring to remain under the Northern Parliament, but would not allow the coercion of any part of Ulster which desired to be included in the Free State. He concluded: “We are reasonable people, and if others are reasonable there will be no difficulty.” Feeling In Belfast against the British Government is becoming most bitter. Widespread publicity was given to-day to a statement which Sir James Craig is reported to have made privately that he hoped for the defeat of Mr. 'Lloyd George’s Government over the boundaries question. Meanwhile Belfast travellers report that the antiUlster boycott continues in the southwest.
HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. ULSTER CABINET FIRM. London, Feb. 6. The Times’ Dublin correspondent says Irish opinion pins its hopes on a continuance of the Collins-Craig conversations, with the ultimate possibility of a settlement. Sir James Craig sent a message to the Orange Lodge: “With God’s help, and the support of Ulster loyalists, we will pass through this successfully as through equally grave perils. We will stand by our brother loyalists to the end.” Sir James Craig announces that the Ulster Cabinet will not accept any boundary alterations except by mutual agreement with the Free State. Failing such agreement the present boundary must continue.
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Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1922, Page 5
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573IRISH DEADLOCK. THE PARTIES CONFER. Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1922, Page 5
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